Vehicle-axle.



No. 64mm. Patented Apr. |7, |900.. M. BHUNER. VEHICLE AXL.

(Application led. Mar. 6, 1900.)

(No Model.)

ams PETERS co.. pHoro-umn., wnsmnm'on. D. c.

NITEDV STATES PATENT rrcn.

MARTIN BRUNER, OF BUCKLAND, OHIO;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 647,801, 'dated April 17, 190e. Application tiled Mawh 6, 1900. Serial No. 7,493.. (No model To all tywm it may concern.'

Be it known that I, MARTIN BRUNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buckland, in the county of Auglaize and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-Axles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The present invention has for its object to provide an axle for all classes of vehicles constructed wholly of metal, which willpossess strength, durability, and lightness compared with the metal axle of ordinary construction; andit consists in a metal axle constructed substantially as shown in the drawings and hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure lis a longitudinal section of an axle and its connecting parts whichembody my invention; Fig. 2, a perspective View in detail of the flanged cap used to close the opento form at its ends the tapering spindles ctand leaving the upper side open throughout the length of the body of the axle, as shownA at b, for the purpose hereinafter described.

I do not wish to be understood as confining myself to any particular means of constructing the bodyof the axle, with its tapering spindles', as various modifications may be resorted to without departing from the essential features of the invention.

The meeting edges of the sheet metal which forms the tapering spindles a are not secured together, thereby admitting of the spindle being expanded against the skeins B.

The skeins B are tapering to correspon with the taper of the spindles a, and at the inner end of the skein is an outwardly-extending circumferential flange c and at the outer end a nipple cl,- which may bescrew-threadel or not, as found desirable. A suitable bolt C of the required length extends through the axial center of the spindle and skein and is screw-threadedat its -inner end to receive a suitable screw-threaded nut e. Before the nut is engaged with the screw-threaded end of the bolt a tubular expander D is slipped over the bolt and the nut screwed into place, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This tubular expander D is frusto-conical in -of the spindle a to force the same tightly against the skein B, thereby forming a tight connection between the spindle and skein and holding the latterl in place thereon. After the skeins are in position on the axle-spindles and the frusto conical tubular expanders, bolts, and nutsin place the opening or space b in the upper side of the axle A is closed by a flanged cap E. This cap is constructed of sheet metal of suitable thickness and of a length to properly cover the opening?) in the axle, said cap having downwardly-extending anges f, which extend over the sides of the axle as shown in Fig. fl of the drawings.

The cap E upon its upper side is provided with a suitable friction-plate to prevent Wear upon the cap and to strengthen the same at the point where it is connected to the runninggear of the vehicle. Upon the under side of the cap E are longitudinal grooves h, which are preferably formed by the rectangular plate i, suitably connected to the under side IOO e cap E may be connected byany suitable .many modifications or changes and still come within the scope of my invention.

The axle, with its several connections, may be constructed of steel, wrought-iron, or any other suitable metal found most preferable,

`and when it is desired to bring the Wearingvand means forexpanding or enlarging the disurface of the skein B at a different point on its surface the skein may be turned upon v*its axis by first loosening the tubularexpander and afterward tightening it to hold the skein in its adjusted position, thus compensating forv wear -upon the skein by changing the p0- sition of its bearing-surface, whichis usually upOn its 'under side. Having now `fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- I v 1. A vehicle-axle provided with expansiblespindles, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. l Y Y 2. A vehicle-axle having split tub ularspindles, suitable skeins fitting over the same,

aineter of the .spindles to hold the skeins in their adjusted position by'frictional contact therewith, `substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. A suitable` vehicle-axle having expansible spind1es,`skeins upon the spindles, and truste-conical tubular expanding devices for4 increasing the diameter of vthe spindles to force them against the interiorsurface of the skeins to hold them in their adjusted position by frictional contact therewith, substantially as and for the purpose specified.v

4. A suitablevehicle-axle having expansi ble spindles, suitable skeins fittingover the spindles, and means for expanding or enlarging the circumference lof the spindles, consisting of a frusto-conical tubular expanding device, anda screw-bolt and uut for operatingthedevice, substantially asv andffor the purpose set forth. Y

'5. A hollow metal vehiclefaxle vhaving tubular and expansible spindles, suitable skeins adjustable upon the spindles, and means for holding the skeins in their adjusted position,

consisting of a frusto-conical tubular expanding device fitting inthe tubular spindles and 'means for moving the device' longitudinally therein,substantially as and for thefpurpose described.

6. A hollow metal axle having spindles integral therewith and-the axle open at its upper side, and a rectangular metal cap having downwardly-extending side'langes, said capV adapted to fit over the axle to close 'the opening and provided uponits under side with a rectangular reinforce-plate of less-width than the width of the cap to form the grooves or spaces for the edges or the side wallsV of the axle to fit in, substantially as' and vfor the purpose specified. Y

7. A hollow metal vehicle-axle having expansible spindles and open atl its upper side, and a suitable angedcapadapted to fit over the axle to closethe opening, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. A hollow metal vehicle-axle having hollow expansible spindles and open at its upper side, a suitable iianged cap to fit over the axle to close the opening, adj ustables-keins fitting over theA spindles, and suitable means for expanding'the spindles to hold thel skeins in `their adjusted position by 'frictional contact therewith, substantially as and for the purpose described. v

9.` A hollow met-al vehicle-axle having hollow expansible spindles and open upon its upper side, a suitable anged cap to fit over vthe axle to close the opening, suitable skeins fitting over thespin'dles and adjustable thereon,-and means for expanding orenlarging the diameter of thespindles, consisting of a frusto -conical tubular expanding device adapted to fit inthev hollow spindle, andl a screw-bolt and nut for operatingthe expanding device, substantially as and for the purpose specified. x

` In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses..

MARTIN BRUNER.

vVifitnesses:

P. J. WALSHE,

L. C. HILL-s.

IOO 

